Bathing apparatus



W. L. DEMING.

BATHING APPARATUS.

APPUCAHON FILED Aue.25. 1919.

Patented May 16, 1922.

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BATEEING APPARATUS."

To allwhom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. PEMINo, a'citizen of the United States, residing at Salem,-in the county of Columblana and. State of Ohio, have invented a certam new and useful Improvement in Bathing'App-a-v ratus, of which the following is a fu l and'exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

, clear,

This invention relates to a folding bathing apparatus, the primary object being to provide in a simple andcheap form meansfor establishing a shower bath in any convenient location adjacent to a wall, the structure beingeollapsible when not in use sothatthe adjacent space may, if desired,- be utilized for other purposes. My apparatus is well adapted for installation in a closet, or against a wall of a room, in residences, factories, summer hotels and cottages, etc.

Briefly the apparatus comprises a shallow base receptacle or basin from which leads a discharge conduit a hinged cover for the receptacle, a folding seat carried by 1t,

means above the receptacle for supportiii f an inclosing curtain, and suitable conduits for supplying water to the space within the curtain. Various features of the invention contributing to its effectiveness will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of my apparatus in the position of use, this view showing also in dotted lines the folded position of the cover and the seat carried thereby. This view shows a folding wash bowl or lavatory in position of use, though ordinarily this would be folded into overheadpositio-n when the shower bath is used. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section at right angles with Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus below the curtain support. Fig. 4 is a plan partlybroken away and on a larger scale of the support for the curtain and the shower conduit. Figs. 5 and 6 are details of the curtain support adjacent to the right hand edge of Fi 1. Fig. 7 is a detail of the device for a justably holding the shower conduit.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, 10 indicates a shallow base receptacle which is quite similar tov an ordinary kitchen sink, being preferably rectangular in plan and having a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 16,1922.

Application filed August 25, 1919, Serial No. 319,718.

horizontal base, slightly inclined walls 11 and a top flange 12. This base receptacle rests on suitable supports indicated by the cleat- 13 on a floor or other surface 14. In Figs. 1 and 3, 15 indicates a vertical wall in a building, and it will be seen that the base member is located with one end adjacent to tlllS wall. The other end and the sides of the receptacle are supported by boards 16 and 17.' These boards stand beneath the flange 12 and together with the Wall completely surround the receptacle. This houslng may be omitted if desired.

20 in Figs. 1 and 3 indicates a hinged I cover for the base receptacle. This cover is preferably hinged to ears on the flange 12. lVhen folded horizontally, as indicated by the broken lines 20 in Fig. 1, it rests on the flange 12 and covers the receptacle. When the bathing apparatus is in use, this cover stands vertically as shown in Fig. 1. It is held in this position by being secured to the curtain sup-port, which will now be described.

30 indicates a U-shaped rod or bail having the ends of its legs hinged at 31 tobrackets secured to the wall 15. 32 indicates a bailllke member of approximately a Y form,

having the ends of its flared legs hinged at 33 to brackets secured to the wall. This member extends diagonally downward and the stem of the Y normally overhangs and engages the intermediate portion of the U- shaped bail 30 and holds it in a horizontal position. When desired the bails may be disengaged from each other and swung upward or downward to idle position.

Explaining the mutual locking of the bails more particularly by reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the legs of the member 32 approach each other and then become parallel as indicated at 34 and extendin this form until they become a pair of hooks35, then depend and are connected by a transverse loop 36. The-hooks 35 extend across and embrace the intermediate portion of the bail 30. The portion 36 provides an elongated eye and into this extends a hook 37 on the upper end of a rod 38 slidably connected to the under side of the cover 20. This rod 38 preferably slides between the inner face of the cover 20 and a sheet metal plate 39 secured to the cover and intermediately bowed away from it to-provide an approximately tubular housing for the When the apparatus is to be closed the rod 38 is unhooked from the upper support and slid downwardly sufliciently'so that it will come within the base receptacle when the cover 20 is turned down. To use the apparatus, the cover is turned up into the position shown in Fig. 1 andthe rod 38 drawn out and hooked over the looped bend 36. of the dia onal supporting member and drawn down sfightly to make a tight connection as shown in Fig. 1.

It is desirable, for the bather to-have a seat, and I provide this by means of a member 22 hinged at 23 to the inner face of the cover 20 and supported at its free end by a suitable strut 24 hinged to it and provided with a roller 25 at its lower end.v A suitable link 26 is hinged to the strut 24 and to the cover 20. When the apparatus is in use this seat occupies a position shown in full lines in Fig. 1. When the cover. is closed the seat and its attached parts swing into the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and are thus housed within the base rece tacle.

he rod frame work heretofore described provides not only for anchoring the upper end of the cover 20, but also for supporting the curtain and the shower pipe connection. The curtain is designated 40.- It has rings or eyes 41 in its upper end which surround the rod 30. The curtain depends from this rod sufiiciently to prevent water being splashed outside of the receptacle, the curtain preferably extending into the receptacle. It is convenient to make the curtain in two parts and secure the inner edge of each part to the wall 15 or adja cent thereto. When not in use the two curtain portions may thus be slid back along the parallel sides of the bail 30 to a position adjacent to the wall. When in use the free edges of the'curtains may, if desired,

be secured together, or to the cover 20 at each side of the seat, by snap fasteners, not

shown.

The shower conduit comprises a suitable pipe 50 adjustably supported by the wire rod frame 32 and equipped at its lower end with a spray nozzle 51 and connected at its other end by a rubber hose 52 with a mixing device 54 which may be attached to a combined faucet 53 for hot and cold water. The means for adjustably supporting the pipe 50 are best shown in Figs. 4 and 7. 55 in Fig. 4 indicates a pair of blocks secured to the flaring legs of the diagonal bail 32. Mounted between these blocks and pivoted to them on a horizontal axis is a block 56.- This block preferably has a pair of extended trunnions 57 occupying recesses in the blocks 55. The block tudinal groove 72 in the exterior of the pipe 50 is engaged by a screw 71 to prevent rota-. tion and permlt adjustment of the nozzle longitudinally of the tube 50 toan desired position; The trunnioni-ng of t e block 56 allows it to be swung back and forth in a vertical plane. These movements of the nozzle enable the spray to'be directed as the bather wishes.

The construction, described *enables the pipe 50 to bev moved up and down and swung toward or from the cover 20 when in vertical osition. This enables the user to effect- 1vely direct the spray of water, the user either sitting on the seat 22 or standing on the bottom surface of the base receptacle as desired. The valve fitting 53 not only provides a common discharge for both hot and cold water to be mixed for the shower, but has a peculiar feature tendin ,to maintain the desired pro ortions of ot and cold water, though t e pressure in one of the supply pipes may be varied during the flow. This prevents a drop of the pressure in the cold water pipe from causing the mixture to become suddenly too hot for comfort.

Within the casing 53 I provide hot and cold water cocks each having a laterally bent stem which projects downwardly from the casing. These stems are arranged to be connected by a link so that operation of one handle causes a simultaneous operation of the other. The arrangement of the valve ports within the stems is such that the valves are in off position when the handle is at either extreme end of its movement and in a position to discharge only hot water when in centralposition. In addition, I provide cold water prior to discharging it from the nozzle 51. Any suitable means may be provided for attaching the mixer 54 and I have shown for this purpose 'a bail 80 hinged to the mixer, and arranged to be removably secured to the casing 53. The faucet and mixer will be more fully described and claimed in m copending application, serial No. 482,350 led July 5, 1921 which forms a continuation in part of this case.

The-spray nozzle indicated generally at 51 is provided with a knurled portion 99 which comprises a valve for controlling the uantity of water to be discharged from t e nozzle. The valve mechanism is encooperating members on the\ tube and No. 482,349, led July 5, 1921 which also forms a continuation in part of this case.

I have spoken of the shower connection being readily removable from the faucet 53.- This enables the apparatus to be used without the shower. For such use, I provide a bowl 100 adapted to receive thedischarge from the faucet in a convenient position for use. In order that the water discharged by the faucet may not continue in a curved path about the interior of the boWLand discharge over its front edges, I providhe a deflectin device at the rear edge. T is consists of a suitable trough 101 discharging in the bowl and a rearwardly inclined guard 102, in front of the trough. The water discharges from the faucet directly into the inclined splash guard 102 and passes downwardly at the rear of that guard into the bowl. The projection 102? partly covering the guard 102. The tortuous course thus provided prevents any part of the water from splashing upwardly.

I regard it as desirable to arrange the bowl so that it may be folded into a vertical position when not in use. To effect this I provide it with trunnions 103 near'its rear edge, which are mounted in a stationary support. A portion of the bowl structure extends to the rear of these trunnions and engages a suitable stop 104 when the bowl is in the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1 and thus it is held ready for use. I provide a waste pipe 110 having a flattened funnel shaped member 111 inserted in the top of the pipe 110 behind the bowl. When the bowl is folded up into idle position the water therein flows rearwardly through a trough 101 and discharges into the funnel 111.

As a simple and neat construction to house the hot and cold water pipes (not shown in Fig.1) leading to the faucet 53, as well as the waste pipe 110, I provide avertical sheet metal member 115, which has this recess the metal may conveniently be formed into a soap dish 119. About the recess 118 is preferably a shallow annular recess 114 shown in Figs. 1 and 2,'for1'ned to receive the edge portion of the bowl. Any suitable catch or button (not shown) may be used to hold the bowl when it is seated in this annular recess;

In Fig. 1, Ihave shown a trap arranged for the discharge both from the waste pipe 110 and the base receptacle 10.- This trap comprises a body 130 having an inverted U-shaped passageway 131 connecting with 715 the main waste pipe 132. An upwardly ex tending tubular portion 134 provides for the connection from the pipe 110. Beyond this connection the body 130 curves upwardly in an elbow which is connected to the base receptacle. 1 As shown, this elbow has a head 135 which engages; the under side of the base receptacle 10. An externally threaded bushing 137 passes through a hole in the receptacle and screws into the head 135 and clamps these parts together.

The plug for the base receptacle is preferably a tubular member risin nearly to the top of the receptacle and t us providing a combined plug and overflow member. This tubular member is designated 140. It is shown as a flaring funnel-shaped member having a. discharge tube 141. A suitable rubber washer 142 surrounds the tube at the base of the funnel portion. The upper end of the funnel portion is preferably provided with a depressed top 144 forming a soa dish. Orifices 145 below the top provide the entrance into the funnel for discharge of Waste water to prevent overflow when the receptacle 10 is used filled with water.

V In the use of the apparatus-for a shower bath, the normally horizontal cover 20 is raised into the vertical position shown in Fig. 1 and secured by hooking the rod 38 into the. eye of the curtain support. same movement of the cover brings the seat into active position as shown. The curtain is then drawn about the occupant; the bowl is left closed, and the water of the desired temperature discharged through the shower nozzle. The tubular plug in the base receptacle allows sufiicient water to accumulate therein for a foot bath, for example, while preventing.v overflow. After use, the tubular plug 140- is raised, allowing the discharge from the base receptacle, the cur-' tains are shoved back, the rod 38 discon nected, and the cover folded down. The shower connection may then be detached at the faucet casing, leaving the device ready for use as an ordinary lavatory whenever the bowl is turned down. When so employed the user stands on the horizontal cover 20 as a floor, the bowl being positioned at a convenient elevation for one so standing.

Having thus described my invention; what I claim is:

1. In a bathing apparatus the combination with a conduit for discharging water, of a base receptacle, a curtainsupport above the same, a curtain carried by the support and a slidable member connecting the'cover with the support.

2. In a bathing apparatus the combina-v This tacle, a slidable rod carried by the cover and adapted to be extended to engage the -curtain support.

' 5.- The combination of a base receptacle, a curtain support member, a hinged cover for the receptacle, a slidable rod secured to the under side of the cover and having a hook at its upper end adapted to engage said mem-.

her when the cover is in a vertical position.

6. The combination of a base receptacle, a curtain support comprisin two mutually connected bail members, t e upper being provided with a downwardly extending loop, a hinged cover for the receptacle, a .ro secured to the under side of the cover and having a hook at its upper end adapted to engage said loop when the cover is vertical.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, a curtain support comprising a substantially horizontal bail, and a rigid inclined bail hooking over the intermediate portion of the bail first mentioned.

8. The combination with a base receptacle and a cover therefor, of acurtain supported above the receptacle having a U-shaped curtain carrying rod and an inclined brace therefor, and movable means carried by the cover for engaging said curtain support, whereby the cover may be held in vertlcal position.

9. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a U-shaped bail pivot ally supported at the ends of its arms, a rigid Y-shaped bail above the bail first mentioned, pivotally supported at its ends and having its intermediate portion formed into a looped hook which extends across and engages the intermediate portion of the bail first mentioned.

10. The combination of a base receptacle, a hinged cover therefor, a seat pivoted to the cover, a strut for such seat, and a link parallel with the seat connecting the strut with the cover.

11. The combination of a base freceptacle, a hinged cover therefor, a seat connected to the cover and collapsible into the. receptacle 1,41emo' and automatically extensible when the cover is raised, a curtain support, slidable means connecting the cover with the curtain support and a shower device carried thereby and: adapted to discharge toward the receptac e.

12.. The combination of a base receptacle with an inclined curtain support above the same, a curtain carried by such sup ort, and a shower conduit slidably mounted on said support and depending into the space within t e curtain.-

13. In a bathing apparatus, the combination of a receptacle, a curtain support above the same, a block having trunnions en aged by the curtain support, a tube longitudinally slidable through the block, a hose connection to the tube an a nozzle on the discharge end of the tube.

14. In a bathing apparatus, the combination of a base receptacle standing with its end adjacent to the wall, hot and cold water pipes adjacent to the wall, a faucet fed by said pipes, an inclined support carried by said wall, a shower conduit carried by the support above the base receptacle, and means connecting said conduit with said faucet.

15. The combination, with a wall and floor, of a base receptacle supported by the floor adjacent to the wall, a curtain support carried by the wall above the base receptacle, a cover hinged at the edge of the base receptacle opposlte the wall, and means for connecting the cover, when raised, to the curtain support.

16. The combination with a wall and floor, of a base receptacle supported by the floor adjacent to the wall, a curtain support ca ried by the wall above the base. receptacl a cover hinged at the edge of the base receptacle opposite the wall, and a folding seat carried bythe under side of the cover.

17. The combination,with a wall and floor, of a shower bath apparatus, consisting of a base receptacle supported by the floor adjacent to the wall, a curtain support carried by the wall above the base receptacle, acover hinged at the edge of the base receptacle opposite the wall, and slidable means carried by the cover for holding the cover in a Vertical position when raised, water'pipes located along the wall, a combined hot and cold water faucet connected with saidpipes, and a nozzle conduit adjustably supported by the curtain support adapted to be connected to the faucet.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

WILLIAM L. DEMING. 

